Legal advice

Is it mandatory to wave when crossing the street?

. January 12, 2025 16:04

Question: I was quite concerned when I read information online about pedestrians having to wave when crossing the street.

As someone who always obeys traffic laws, I always walk at the pedestrian crossing and wait for the traffic light every time I cross the street. However, the information that pedestrians can be fined if they do not wave when crossing the street surprised me.

This seems unreasonable, because when pedestrians are using their right-of-way, they deserve to have their right-of-way respected by other vehicles without having to take any further action.

I look forward to receiving a clear and precise explanation on this issue to avoid misunderstandings and ensure proper implementation of legal regulations.

HOANG HA(Tu Ky)

Reply:According to Point b, Clause 1, Article 30 of the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety 2024, effective from January 1, 2025, pedestrians may only cross the road at places with traffic lights, road markings, or overpasses or tunnels for pedestrians, and must comply with traffic signals and road signs.

In case there are no traffic lights, road markings, overpasses, or pedestrian tunnels, you must observe oncoming vehicles, only cross the street when it is safe, and use hand signals when crossing the street.

According to Point a, Clause 1, Article 10 of Decree 168/2024/ND-CP (effective from January 1, 2025), pedestrians who do not walk in the correct lane; cross the median strip; cross the road in the wrong place; or cross the road without hand signals as prescribed will be fined from 150,000 to 250,000 VND.

Compared to Decree 100/2019/ND-CP, Decree 168/2024/ND-CP has added a penalty for the violation of "crossing the road without a hand signal as prescribed" as well as increased the penalty for the violation of "crossing the road in the wrong place". Previously, this violation was fined from 60,000 - 100,000 VND.

Based on the above regulations, from January 1, 2025, only in cases where there are no traffic lights, road markings, overpasses, or pedestrian tunnels, pedestrians must use hand signals (such as "waving", "raising hands"...) to let other drivers know and slow down and give way safely.

In places with traffic lights, road markings, overpasses, or pedestrian tunnels, pedestrians only need to follow traffic signals and signs without having to use hand signals.

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Is it mandatory to wave when crossing the street?